Variety Series moves
to mostly weekends
Folk 'n roll, family humor, big band dancing, a Tony Award winning musical, and Patsy Cline tribute round out the season

Published: October 24, 2010 4:00AM

Anne Chlovechok
The Daily Jeffersonian
The 2010-11 Variety Series kicked off on Oct. 19 with an appearance by the popular Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Parrots of the Caribbean. The show, sponsored by AVC Communications, was well attended by local parrot-heads who were whisked away for a couple of hours to a tropical island paradise while they listened to Capt'n D and his talented crew perform Buffett favorites such as "Cheeseburger in Paradise."
Mauvais Sort, Nov. 20
The next show in the series, Mauvais Sort, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. The concert by a group of young, Canadian musicians mixes traditional Quebecois folk rhythms with contemporary musical compositions, featuring a style of music called folk 'n roll, and is sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council, the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra and the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. This show is free and open to the public. A Broadway Buffet dinner will be served prior to the show for $17.95 a plate. Call for dinner reservations.
Dr. Etta May, Dec. 4
Dr. Etta May, Family Specialist, sets the stage for comedy at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Calling her fans "Etta heads," Etta May brings to the stage what has been called a veritable steamroller of Southern sass with her unique, one-woman show which takes a look at family life through humorous eyes. She has appeared on national shows such as "Southern Fried Chicks," and her humor is appropriate for all ages. The show is being sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson, Dec. 18
Choose a dance partner and plan on attending a dinner dance sponsored by The Daily & Sunday Jeffersonian, featuring Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. The well-known dance band formed in London, Ontario, in the 1980s, with Pierson assuming the role of famous conductor Guy Lombardo and directing the Royal Canadians in Lombardo's famous style. The evening is guaranteed to be enjoyable, the food delicious and the music, heavenly.
'Music Man', Jan. 26
Come see Professor Hill try to woo Madam Librarian, Marian, at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, during the Variety Series' presentation of the 1957 Tony Award winning musical, "The Music Man," sponsored by WHIZ Media Group. Arguably one of the best musicals of the last century, The Music Man is filled with wonderful musical numbers, has an engaging plot line and will have audience members of all ages rooting for Hill as he turns from his con-man ways to help Marian's young brother gain confidence by playing a musical instrument. If you can only attend one show in the Variety Series, this is the one to see. Bring your children, plan on dinner before the show at the Broadway Buffet, and make a night of it.
A Closer Walk with
Patsy Cline, March 4
Patsy Cline fans will want to reserve Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. for the final presentation in the 2010-11 Variety Series, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, sponsored by Riesbeck's Food Markets. Acknowledged as one of the world's best Patsy Cline tributes, the show features an artist so talented and dedicated to her role, fans will feel that they have attended an actual Patsy Cline concert. Tracing Cline's rise from her hometown through the Grand Old Opry, Vegas and finally to Carnegie Hall, the show features hits such as "Walkin' after Midnight," "Sweet Dreams" and "I Fall to Pieces."
The Broadway Buffet, featuring a catered dinner by Classic Fare Catering of New Concord, will take place before each show. Reservations for the buffet and for the shows may be made by calling the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center at 439-7009.
Waiting for Joshua,
March 27
An additional show, not part of the series, is being planned for 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. Waiting for Joshua is a gospel comedy that uses humor and music to tell the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. Plan to lunch on good food, excellent music and comedy, and Biblical joy when attending this critically acclaimed performance.
achlovechok@daily-jeff.com